BANFF INDIAN DAYS RETURNS
BY JACKIE GOLD SPECIAL
TO THE CRAG & CANYON
When a slide temporarily closed down the Canadian Pacific
Railway and stranded a group of tourists in Banff in 1889,
some natives were invited to Banff to provide entertainment.
Eleven years later, in 1900, the annual festival had evolved
and was now widely known as "Indian Days."
The Stoney, and then later other tribes of Treaty Seven would
travel to Banff to share their stories and legends. They would
participate in dances, horse races and sporting events, and
give tourists and locals a small sample of their culture and
history.
Banff 's population and tourists became better acquainted
with the tipi homes and lifestyles of the natives through the
Indian Days celebrations, and it contributed to a greater bond
between the two groups.
Norman Luxton, known as ‘Mr. Banff' to his friends and fellow
community members, ran the festivities for 41 years, from 1909
to 1950. Under his watchful eye the festival grew and more
aboriginal groups, visitors from around the world and even
Canadian artists were drawn to the area for the annual summer
event.
In 1978 the event was discontinued, when organizational difficulties
led to its demise.
Years later, in 1992 The Buffalo Nations Cultural Society
took up the concept, renaming it Tribal Days; once again bringing
different cultures together in the Banff area.
Stoney elders have conducted quiet ceremonies at the Banff
Indian Grounds for the last four years, and hoped to have a
larger cultural retreat for spiritual ceremonies and traditional
celebrations at the site.
In 2005, a Centennial celebration of Banff Indian Days and
the culture of the area will honour the spirit of Banff Indian
Days Past. The exhibit, which will run from July 21 to Aug.
2 is being run by the Buffalo Nations Museum in conjunction
with the Eleanor Luxton Historical Foundation. It will mark
the province's birthday through historical documentation of
cultural tourism in Banff .
Through stories, events and interpretations
the exhibition will attempt to showcase the richness of Alberta
's cultural heritage. The exhibit will consist of displays
of original artifacts, collected in the area over the past
100 years, accompanied by photographs, visual documentation
and text.
The exhibits will be in a number of locations including the
Buffalo Nations Museum , the Banff Springs Hotel, Juniper Lodge,
King Edward Hotel , and other strategic locations. There will
also be a photograph exhibition of the Banff Indian Days, displayed
at the Buffalo Nations Museum.
For more information on the exhibition contact Estelle Guthro
at the Buffalo Nations Museum at 403-762-2388.
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